New Jersey...home of the Latinos

“Nearly one in five New Jerseyans is Latino. In order to ensure the state’s future prosperity and well-being, New Jersey’s policies must promote the economic, social and civic progress of the Latino community,” said NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas. I wish this was true when I lived in New Jersey. Growing up in Plainfield, NJ was different from my experiences here in Philadelphia. All my friends were African-American and I had no idea what it really meant to be Latino.

“New Jersey’s Latinos will continue to make vital contributions to the state’s economic and civic life. The newly released numbers from the Census suggest that the New Jersey Latino community placed a high priority on being counted in the 2010 Census and of being full participants in the American political process." Newark, Elizabeth, Trenton and Jersey City were among the cities with the most Latinos in New Jersey. Plainfield has actually changed over the last 5 years. Ever since I left more and more Latinos are populating the area and Front Street has more Latino-owned stores than ever.

The awesome side of Greek life - Brother of LSU

Greek life. Once you graduate, it completely changes. You sort of now take a different view on everything, the undergraduate life and many other things. Fraternities seem to have differences more than sororities even after graduating. However, there are those few which are well respected not only because of what they have done for their own organization, but for Greek life entirely. This week's "awesome side of Greek life" goes to J-Romeo, hermano of Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Latino Fraternity, Inc. He's probably one of the people you think of when you hear the words, "stepping, strolling and even LSU." Heck I don't even know his real full name but the guy sure as hell knows what he's doing.

Through his leadership he reinvented the art form of stepping and strolling. His infusion of dance, theatre, and athleticism has given him and his team numerous championships. J-RoMeO is well known for “thinking out the box” and always presenting the Greek and non-Greek community with a performance they have never seen before. He is known for making massive stage productions at step and stroll shows. He works around the clock to have the best music, best outfits, best lighting, and best step or stroll performance. J-Romeo, you are truly the awesome side of Greek life.

Afro-Latino in Philadelphia

I love photography and sometimes even wish I became a professional photographer (on my spare time). However, there are many other people out there who are good at what they do and know how to tell a story with pictures. One of which I didn't even know was a photographer! Sandra Andino works at Taller Puertorriqueno as the Director of Education. Tomorrow she opens up her own exhibit at her own job entitled: “What it means to be Afro-Latino in Philadelphia: Stories from El Barrio." Some title huh?

This exhibition is a photo-documentary project that will explore the Afro-Latino concept, experience and artistic/cultural expression of Latinos in North Philadelphia based on the creation of a series of portraits of a selected group of participants. The project will represent in photos the presence of Afro-Latinos in Philadelphia and record their experiences and opinions about being Afro-Latinos in the urban Diaspora. The artist will engage in a series of conversations with the participants to dialogue about what it means to be Afro-Latino and how they are represented. Looking forward to the opening reception on Friday, February 11, 2011 at the Lorenzo Homar Gallery (in Taller PR).

BBC: We got a problem

Some of you may have seen the YouTube clip featuring BBC's popular car show, TOP GEAR, where the hosts decide to get a little ummm racist to say the least. According to FoxNewsLatino, the show is stuck in neutral after the controversial comments which led to condemnation by the Mexican ambassador to the United Kingdom and forced the BBC to issue an apology.

First of all, this shouldn't have happened...at all. Second, apologies may have been made, but what about the hosts? They knew what they were going to say and they said it anyway without hesitation. Luckily the Mexican ambassador acted quickly and with ease. I'm sure some other people weren't as polite. In fact, I'm sure there were not only numerous complaints but many people attempting to sue.

The BBC pulled the video from Youtube, but the full video can be seen here.

Philly's creative ambassadors

Last night, February 1, Black History Month starting with a special Philadelphia announcement. Philadelphia once again named their Creative Ambassadors. Philly 360, an African-American marketing campaign launched in February 2009 as a way to lure the younger tech-savvy traveler to our exciting city. To be honest, what better way to spread the good word than by Philadelphians themselves. They don't have to be born in Philly, but there does have to be a tie-in.

Philly 360 Creative Ambassadors are trendsetters in their fields who help shape Philly as a major hotspot and build buzz around the city. This year they picked a group of Philly's hottest musicians, DJs, producers, dancers, entrepreneurs and more. One thing I do appreciate is when African-Americans and Latinos work together instead of against each other or separately. Which is why I'm happy to see Grammy-nominated duo Carvin & Ivan were chosen as ambassadors. They've written/produced some of the most popular R&B music out there including hits for Musiq Soulchild, Chris Brown, Jazmyn Sullivan

For a full list of Philly's creative ambassadors, visit philly360.com.

Video: Philly Te Ama and AfroTaino Productions

Last week "PhillyTeAma" brought you chef Guillermo Tellez. Well this week we've got Marangeli Mejia and Rahsaan Lucas from AfroTaino Productions. These guys are amazing to work with and have collaborated with almost every single arts & culture organization in the city. Learn more about them on the uwishunu post.

1000th Blog Post!

Yes it's cheesy but this is my 1000th blog post! It was in October 2008 when I decided to venture on this journey called blog posting. In the beginning I really only wrote about my life and what I like. Soon it turned into revues of anything remotely Latino and today it's PR professionals pitching little ol' me!

Yes I love to write, and this blog is a really great way to:

1. Vent some steam
2. Share with others what I randomly find or what is sent to me
3. Support our community

So what's in store for the next few years? Who knows. Maybe I might make this blog into a $$ maker; but we all know the drama involved with that. Taxes, net neutrality, blog rights and a whole bunch of other crap I don't want to deal with. Remember to feel free and e-mail me with anything you think I should post. My e-mail is to the right next to mi foto.

Penn Station gets a makeover

Credit: Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Throughout February, six million people passing through New York’s Penn Station will receive an invitation to visit Philadelphia—actually, 225 invitations, all signed “With Love.” The first U.S. destination to dominate the station with 225 displays on the Amtrak level, Philadelphia makes its mark with column wraps, posters, banners, kiosk dioramas and a stair riser decked out with lines.

I kind of wish I was able to pass by because it's one thing to look at different advertisements in one room, but this time it's all over! Not only are the "lines" in English but there are also several different languages all sending their best wishes from Philadelphia. So the next time you're in Penn Station (in the next few weeks) snap a pic and TwitPic it or just post it online! I might send you a cool item ;).